As if he cared.
Her heart fluttered, but she shut off the line of thought. Excitement strummed through her as she neared room 222. The door was firmly closed. Taking a deep breath, she twisted the knob careful not to make any noise that might distract the occupants. She eased her body through the slim opening she created and closed it behind her. Then she leaned against the frame and placed a hand over her mouth to muffle her gasp.
Shock held her frozen. Dharma couldn’t believe what she witnessed.
At the center of the room, Reika stood on one end of the double expanded bars. She murmured instructions in a calm voice mixed with encouragement. “Relax. Take your time. Just like yesterday, slow and easy.”
Standing at the halfway point of the bars was Bane. His hands gripped the rails but there was no strain. No rippling muscles flexing to support his entire weight with his upper body strength. No grimace denoting pain or disappointment.
How had this happened? The question stabbed at her brain. Then, Dharma dropped her hand to her side and simply stared at the miracle in front of her.
“You have it. Keep coming.”
Bane focused at the tiled floor as he stepped forward. One foot, followed by the other. No staggers, no stumbles. Simple steps as he made his way toward Reika. Dharma came farther into the room, wanting to see him up close.
Bane turned at her approach. His gaze widened then lit with satisfaction. The support brackets gave off a low hum as he suddenly changed course and ducked beneath the bar.
“Bane!” she and Reika yelled at the same time.
He rose smoothly from the squat on the other side of the bars and walked steadily toward Dharma. The brackets whirred with each step he took. Shivers shot down her spine as she rushed to get to him in case he fell.
“Dharma.” He stopped directly in front of her. His smile was wicked, a slow burgeoning of sin to come. “I expected to see you sooner.”
She swallowed. Her schedule had been hectic. She also admitted to actively working to avoid Bane and the unfamiliar emotions he caused. She hadn’t expected such a milestone to occur while she’d been busy. “I can tell I missed something.”
His grin held the exuberance of youth, no less disarming. “The first day was rough but Reika has helped immensely.”
Unease stirred as her mind worked furiously to understand this rapid turn around. Without thought, she reached out and touched his forearm. The muscles bunched beneath her fingers but he held still. Her hand trailed to the box at his hips powering the brackets attached to his legs. It was cool to the touch, signifying low usage. This was all him. “You’re walking.”
Bane stepped closer and leaned down. Face near enough their cheeks brushed, his next words were whisper soft. “I’m walking.”
Fluttering wings took flight in her stomach. Every instinct she possessed shrieked a warning. And for the first time in her life, she ignored it.
Bane hooked his arms around her waist and pulled her snug against his body. Dharma squeaked, hands going to his chest for balance. “Be careful! Your legs.”
The caution came out naturally.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a while now.”
Before she could decipher what he meant, Bane shifted slightly, widening his stance until his massive thighs trapped hers between them. He knuckled her chin up.
Tiny explosions detonated at the core of her sex and he hadn’t done anything more than touch her face. Eye to eye, their gazes locked. Passion blazed from a stare as black as the midnight sky. “I’m going to kiss you, Dharma.”
Her world stopped at the declaration.
He dipped his face close. Firm lips landed on hers and he kissed her. Deep, hard, tongue plunging between her parted lips. The hand on her chin slid to the side of her face and cupped her jaw. Dharma moaned into his mouth, her fingers clenching in the material of his shirt as she rose on her toes to return the kiss
The scent of him surrounded her. All male, hot and heavy. Musky with a hint of sweat from his efforts in therapy. His hands dropped to her butt, molded the shape and squeezed.
The longing she’d held inside from the moment they’d been introduced welled up. She’d never liked kissing. Never wanted to willingly share such intimate contact with a male.
But now she couldn’t help herself, pressing closer to him as a newly discovered need rose within her body. Her hands slid higher, delved into the soft silk of his hair. The short strands were cool between her fingers as she tugged. In response, he rocked against her with a muffled growl.
The potency of their embrace blinded her to anyone else in the room. Her hips moved, a slow rolling glide as she sought the hard part of him. His deep groan was rich and rewarding. The sound shot straight to her loins, creating an explosive arousal she hadn’t expected.
Someone cleared their throat loudly. Bane eased away slightly and her mouth followed. More. She needed more. Wanted more. He nipped her lip, teasing flickers, then nuzzled her cheek.
“Bane,” she whispered, using the hold on his hair to pull his head back down. She hadn’t expected her body to react so readily. She wanted, no, she craved more.
“Dharma?”
Dharma sprang back. Or tried to, but Bane gripped her hips and held her in place.
Reika shook her head, grinning and came toward them with a bounce in her step. “I think that’s a pretty big sign rehab is over for the day.”
With some effort and a reluctant grunt from Bane, Dharma managed to part from him. Iron will had her redirecting her thoughts. Focus. “This is great news. How?”
Reika cast a fond glance in Bane’s direction. “He says he was having trouble sleeping a few days ago. Shifted in bed to get a drink and his legs moved. Medic Tao was immediately summoned for consultation. I’ve been working with him since but honestly he’s doing the hard work on his own and advancing quickly.”
Dharma eyed his large frame. Seeing him standing with his arms folded over his broad chest and comfortable was mind-blowing. It was immediately apparent he was at ease on his feet.
There was no sign of weakness or trembling in his thick calves. His legs supported him without effort. She was unable to look away from the formidable image he projected. Usually the soldiers they worked with had a fear of falling after similar injuries and recovery. Not Bane.
“Incredible,” Dharma found herself murmuring.
“Well, I need to get ready for my next session. Bane, do you need assistance getting back to your room?” Reika asked, turning to face him.
“I’ll take him,” Dharma blurted. Bane’s lips curved up and heat filled her face. “If it’s alright with him.”
Bane ran a hand through his mussed blond waves. She’d done that with her desperate touch. “No problem.”
Reika gathered her data pad from the table and was through the door with a wave, leaving the two of them alone.
Dharma rubbed her damp palms down the front of her blue uniform pants. “Are you still using the hover chair or do you prefer to walk?”
He sent her a sardonic glance before turning away and striding toward the hover-chair where a toweling cloth rested in the seat. He rubbed his face briskly and tossed it aside. “Walk.”
“Very well.” She didn’t blame him.
Dharma tried to regain her composure though her lips were puffy from their kiss. She patted at her hair, fearful Bane had undone the sleek knot she’d smoothed into place before coming to work. It seemed fine.